How a Creative Block Helped My Relationship with God

On a rainy summer morning, I make myself a fresh cup of chai (not Starbucks or any other imitations) and grab my laptop. I hope for this to be one of those days where ideas pour onto my paper with ease. I sit across from my laptop; it looks at me with disdain. I have been struggling with writer’s block and what seems to be a loss of creativity as of late. What I thought to be a divine flow of ideas has stopped. I used to be able to write for hours on end about the things that fill my heart with passion, but that has recently come to a halt.

This recent dilemma has forced me to look inward through questioning my motives and intentions. Why do I write? Is it to make myself happy? Is it for the hope of fame? Is it in the Path of God?

Legend tells us that most of Rumi’s poems were birthed out of utter grief; he would spend long nights in the mosque, whirling his body around a pillar; while letting out the cries of poetry that echoed hundreds of years after his demise. The most compelling works of art that have made an impact on history were those that came from the chests of people who were utterly obsessed with God. I believe that in creating, you have to acknowledge your own Creator. Allow Him to inspire you, like He has inspired so many others in the past.

The most compelling works of art that have made an impact on history were those that came from the chests of people who were utterly obsessed with God.

Although a lack of creativity is something disheartening, I forgive myself and recognize that I am only human. Before meeting with the Pharaoh, Musa (Prophet Moses, peace be upon him) asked of Allah to expand his chest. He knew his own limitations. He knew that if he was to move forward, he would need to seek divine assistance.

Similarly, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) went through periods where the revelation of the Quran came to a halt. He was absolutely distraught over this, but he remained loyal to his beliefs and once again, Allah began revealing the Quran.

Keeping these instances in mind allows me to conceptualize how small my problem actually is, while simultaneously reminding me that there will be an ease to this hardship. This loss of creative juices has also filled me with a sense of humility; when things are going well, it’s easy to feel as though you have been put on top of the world. Reminding myself that this is a very human experience has helped me notice that I have to push through some dirt in order to bloom.

The only thing I urge you to do is embrace this feeling when (and if) you experience it. Feel it and allow it to sink in so that you may understand what your mind, body, and spirit are trying to convey to you about your dependence on God. And keep faith—ease will come again soon.

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